If you are in New Zealand for just an average priced, but exciting holiday your $2000usd will properly stretch around 15 days, this would let you stay in average accommodation and hire an average car.
Here is how the major cost break down.
Average priced Vacation Per Day in USD
Accommodation $35 (Motel/Hotel)
Car Hire $28 (Small/Medium)
Petrol $10
Food/Drink $38 (Cook and eat out)
Activities $21 (Bungy Jump etc)
Total $132 USD
Please use these US Dollar daily prices as a guide only.
You will not be Bungy Jumping everyday so this takes that into account but you may be Jet boating and doing other sight seeing trips.
You do have a cheaper way of seeing New Zealand
You can travel economically in New Zealand. Budget travellers can expect to get by on less than $40USD a day if camping or staying in hostels and self-catering. Motor camps and motels all have kitchens for guests’ use. Staying in these also gives you the option of doing your own cooking. One of the main reasons people come to New Zealand is to participate in the activities the country is known for not see the insides of cars and hotels. Some great things in New Zealand cost nothing and include tramping, swimming and bird watching. But other enjoyable activities are expensive and they can end up being a major part of your travel budget.
These guides should give you an idea of what to budget for on your New Zealand trip. This is a guide only.
All prices are based on 21 February 2007.
New Zealand AtoZ provides useful free New Zealand information and advice to travellers.
Your complete guide to New Zealand.
newzealandatoz.com newzealandatoz.com
Have you ever imagined waking up at the middle of a forest, smelling the fragrance of pine trees and the thick bushes, witnessing the blue to burnt yellow skies of the early morning sunrise and the orange skies during sunset and hearing the sounds of wildlife but still enjoying the comforts of your home wherever and whenever?
Maybe its time for you to be introduced to the “RV lifestyle”. If you are really committed in looking for something worthwhile to spend your money and time, traveling and communing with nature might just do the trick for you. Of course, as mentioned, there will be money involved but if you are serious in creating quality in your life, then you might want to give the RV lifestyle a chance.
But before you get excited, you have to know what it takes to have a RV lifestyle. You must first have your very own RV camper. RV is the short term for “recreational vehicle.” And this is so hot in the whole of United States because more and more people are attracted to the idea of going out there and experiencing the world in its raw state: the nature.
This lifestyle fits any type of person committed to travel and be with nature. Retirees, those in their 50s, families with their little children, those busy working people who wants to go on a sabbatical with friends or lovers can enjoy the amenities and facilities that RV campers offer and that they can rent or buy whatever suit their needs.
Recreation vehicles are of different types: the towable and motorized vehicles. The towables are those trailers pulled by motorized automobiles. The important considerations are the size and weight of the trailer and the towing hitch. There are also two kinds of towable trailers: the tent trailer or what is called a “tent-on-the-wheel” and a hard-sided trailer that can be expanded when docked.
On the other hand, motorhomes are like bus and van conversions. They are categorized into classes A-C. They are spacious, have all the amenities and facilities like bathrooms, your own master bedroom, kitchen and even a living room. There is only one word to describe it, “luxurious.” In length, RV campers are usually 18’ to 40’ or even more.
After hearing all these and you are better convinced that the RV lifestyle is for you then you can commit some time to really think over and buy your own RV camper. But never be so caught up and so excited that you speed up the buying process. Buying an RV is a major investment like buying a house so make a well-informed decision.
First, you must ask yourself a few basic questions like:
- What are your specific needs? This will help you to know what kind of RV will you buy.
- What are your plans of where you will use it? This will make you decide on the features of your RV.
- What are the financial requirements when buying RV?
After answering the basic questions, you can already start by researching and choosing your dealer. You can first collect and review some brochures of the manufacturers of RV or maybe you can surf the internet for websites of manufacturers and learn all what they have to offer.
If you chose your dealer, it does not mean you are going to stop there. You must check very carefully if they have good after-sale program for their customers. Not only that, know if they have able servicemen ready to serve you in case your camper needs some routine maintenance check and if they offer warranty. Another thing you have to know is the accessories and parts of your RV. If in case of repair, are the parts easily accessible, can it be ordered on time for your need? Usually, authentic and licensed dealers have trained servicemen and a sales staff to assist you in your choices and in processing your purchase and the documents required.
After knowing your dealer, make sure that you assess the features of the RV you are buying or being offered to you. The basic but very important features you should consider are the: type of RV (towable or motorized), weight capacity, size and living systems. In choosing the type of RV, always refer to your answers to the basic questions as to what is the purpose of your RV and the kinds of roads you will have to pass during your travel. If you want the amenities of the home, you should inform yourself of what weight is needed and the size. Of course, the living systems that put into operation the amenities you like such as power and waste and sewage facilities.
Thirdly, you have to consider the prices. Class A RV campers or the motorized ones are undeniably luxurious with all the amenities and facilities inside. This can reach up to $200,000. But, of course, there are the second hand RV campers but you have to be very careful in choosing one.
With all these on hand, you are ready to buy your RV camper and get the time of your life in communing with nature. Just remember to always keep a regular maintenance check.
Lee Dobbins writes for rv.travel-cents.com rv.travel-cents.com where you can learn more about rv.travel-cents.com the RV lifestyle.
Some of the most enjoyable diving you may ever do is wreck scuba diving. Because travel by ship was the main way of going from continent to continent prior to development of air travel, and because the technology used on ships and in weather forecasting was not advanced at all, many ships sank in waters around the world providing dives that are interesting and fun. There are so many wrecks that only the Florida wreck diving will be covered in this article.
In fact, there are so many Florida wreck scuba diving spots available, you’ll have plenty of difficulty choosing which ones to dive. Hurricanes, coral reefs, shoals and pirates all help sink the ships that are often quite near the shores.
During the Spanish colonial period, the Florida Straits were the most frequently used passage for ships to access the Gulf Stream to get the boost of these fast-flowing currents for their trip home across the Atlantic Ocean. Some of these ships were never to return safely home but were trapped into one of the many tragedies that happened to the then ill-equipped vessel when challenging Mother Nature. Many of these unfortunate victims of the sea have been excavated and are awaiting your arrival.
One great wreck scuba diving destination is Pensacola in the Panhandle of Florida. There are lots of ships within a small area. In Pensacola Bay, eleven ships were to become victims of a hurricane during 1500. The colonists that were becoming settles on the shore at what is now known as Pensacola Bay were unloading vessels when the massive storm overtook them. Of course, there were no storm warnings like we have today and they were taken unaware. The result of the loss of the eleven ships was to soon become the demise of the colony which only lasted 60 years.
The Trinite is another great wreck scuba diving spot. This French wreck lies off St. Augustine and went down during a storm in 1565 while the Frenchmen were preparing to attack the Spaniards who had colonized this section of the northeast Florida coastline. After the vessel sank, the attack did not occur. Today you can not only scuba dive the wreck at St. Augustine but you can also see other sights like the nation’s oldest school house and oldest drug store, tour the fort as well as get in some fun in the sun.
You can do some wreck scuba diving at the resting place of the Tierra Firme fleet. Two ships from the fleet of 27 vessels, the Atocha and the Santa Margarita, went to their watery graves along with 380 sailors during a hurricane in 1622. The fleet had more than $250 million in cargo among them and the Atocha proved to be quite a profitable salvage job once it was located and now you can see it for yourself along with her sister ship in the Florida Keys.
In 1700 the Henneta Marie, a slave trade vessel that had unloaded slaves in Jamaica and was in the Key West to load sugar from the plantations sank. Today you can visit Key West during your wreck scuba diving vacation and see the oldest know wreck of a slave trading vessel that has been identified by name.
While you are in the Florida Keys for wreck scuba diving, go see the San Pedro which was one of the last vessels from the New Spain fleet to cross to what is now the United States. In 1733, this ship was taken victim by a hurricane along with several other ships traveling with her. There are wrecks covering over 80 miles of the Florida Keys oceanscape from this storm. The Spanish salvaged this ship only to find that she had been burned to the waterline so that pirates could not loot her.
In 1713 a vessel named Urca de Lima owned by the Spanish ran aground on a shoal off Florida’s Atlantic coast during a hurricane. There were nine other ships lost during this hurricane but because the Urca de Lima was grounded and did not sink like the others, she was used as a supply ship to provide for the survivors of the other shipwrecks as well as the one remaining French vessel that had been accompanying the Urca de Lima. Over 1,000 men lost their lives in this tragic hurricane.
You can find still dive and find shipwrecks under the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on Florida’s eastern coast as well as some in the calmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico which run along the western shore of Florida and the southern edge of the Florida Panhandle.
Florida is a great place to go wreck scuba diving and you will find the waters warm enough to dive even in the winter. In fact, the winter is the peak season in this southern state. You can obtain discount rates if you choose to travel to Florida during the off-season which is May through November. You’ll also enjoy less crowded areas and beaches with fewer visitors.
As you plan your wreck scuba diving in Florida, be sure to have all your dive equipment checked by a professional so that you won’t experience any problems while visiting a wreck. If you do not want to take your own dive gear, there are many dive shops located along the coastlines of Florida ready to provide for your every need.
If you want to ensure that finding the wrecks, scuba diving with a charter boat that specialized in wreck diving is practical. These captains know exactly where to visit quickly and easily locate the wrecks you want to visit. These locals can also point out other places of interest to see and things to do in the area during your holiday.
While wreck scuba diving, remember that safety must always come first when in the water. Don’t take unnecessary chances. Be sure to stay with your dive party and your trip will be a great success.
getscubadiving.com” target=”_blank Wreck Scuba Diving and other getscubadiving.com/scuba_diving_resources.html” target=”_blank Scuba Diving Vacations
A wide variety of all-inclusive vacation packages are offered by travel and tour companies. The offers often include attractive gifts, prizes and contests, to add to the bargain. Most of the all-inclusive vacation packages include travel, boarding, lodging and sight-seeing, but generally exclude alcoholic beverages. So if your idea of enjoying a vacation includes a glass of wine or two, it is better to keep some extra cash with you.
Some all-inclusive vacation packages also offer financing options. One can pay a certain amount initially, go out and enjoy the vacation, then pay the rest of the amount in installments over a stipulated time period after coming back.
A number of all-inclusive vacation packages are “group packages,” sold not to individuals but to a group of people. All-inclusive vacation packages charge you on an individual or group basis. They are often quite flexible; if you want certain additional facilities, you can get them for a price. It is always better to notify the tour operators about any such requirements in advance. Most of the tour operators now provide online reservation facilities for such packages. If you want to go alone or with your family on an all-inclusive vacation there are several attractive packages available for domestic and foreign destinations. Generally, written information is available about such packages, and you should read this information carefully before selecting one. Don’t forget to verify the credentials of the tour operator. In many cases there is a wide gap between the kinds of services offered on paper and the standard of services offered in reality.
e-AllInclusiveVacations.com All Inclusive Vacations provides detailed information on All Inclusive Vacations, All Inclusive Vacation Packages, All Inclusive Family Vacations, Cheap All Inclusive Vacations and more. All Inclusive Vacations is affiliated with e-AllInclusiveResorts.com Couples Only All Inclusive Resorts.
1 – Edmonton, Alberta – in the more than 125 000 population category
Edmonton, Capital city of the province of Alberta is known for its thriving arts and cultural communities including a downtown arts district where several major centers are located.
2 – Comox Valley, British Columbia – in the 50 000 to 125 000 population category
Comox Valley is a thriving arts and culture community with painters, potters, theatre and dance troupes perform in parks and a myriad of venues including renovated heritage churches, warehouses, sports arenas, resorts and restaurants.
3 – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – in the less than 50 000 population category
Moose Jaw is famous for its Murals on buildings all over the city. Scenes depicting Moose Jaw’s early history can be found on the sides and fronts of buildings throughout the downtown core.
4 – Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec – in the less than 50 000 population category
One of Quebec oldest municipalities, the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, a favorite of Canada’s Group of Seven painters, and a heritage town with over 85 century-old homes, this city still draws
artists to this day.
5 – Wendake, Quebec – in the less than 50 000 population category
Located 10 kilometers north of the city of Quebec, the Carrefour des Nations is a festival of contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, showcasing the First Nations artists and their unique culture. Theatrical productions, exhibitions, literary readings, musical performances, and a traditional pow-wow are testimony to Wendake’s commitment to the arts and culture.
These five communities were unanimously recommended by an independent advisory committee. The Cultural Capitals of Canada program celebrates the unique character of Canadian municipalities and recognizes the important role they play in highlighting the richness and diversity of our culture.”
The Cultural Capitals of Canada Program highlights the achievements of communities that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture. These prizes are awarded for merit, for the quality of proposed projects, and for past achievements of the communities. The 5 communities receive anywhere from $ 500,000 up to $ 2,000,000 to finance projects that celebrate arts and culture in those communities.
There are a whole series of factors driving a new generation of retiree to consider emigrating, moving abroad and settling overseas in retirement. Many surveys have been conducted recently on this growing phenomenon with one of the latest conducted in the UK finding that out of 3,000 people surveyed who were all approaching retirement, 67% had definite plans to retire abroad.
If you too are considering your options and wondering whether you could have a better, more affordable cost of living in a lower cost country with a better climate when you retire, this ‘ten top tip’ guide to ‘How to Retire Abroad’ should make your planning and decision making that much simpler.
1) Be realistic about the amount of money you will have to live on in retirement and whether this can and will afford you a decent quality of life in your own home country. If the answer is a resounding ‘no’ then you either need to think about working for longer or moving to a lower cost country when you retire
2) If you are certain already that you want to move abroad you need to think about the countries where you would be happy living. In a recent survey conducted in the UK, out of 67% of respondents who were definitely going to live abroad in retirement, 24% had their sights set on a country they’d never been to! This is not a good way to start planning your new life abroad – you need to be at least basically familiar with the country you are moving to.
3) If at all possible visit your preferred country repeatedly in the years leading up to your retirement. Go at different times of the year to determine how hot the summer is, how cold or wet the winter is. This will help you when it comes to finding accommodation – even in Mediterranean countries where it is blisteringly hot in the summer, wintertime temperatures drop sufficiently for retirees to need accommodation with central heating.
4) Consider your health today and how it could fare in the future. While you may be glad to escape crippling health care costs in your own home country, will you be able to afford medical care in your new country. What if you need specialist care, is it even available in your preferred country? You may find you need some form of expatriate health care policy – look into what’s available and the associated costs and budget this in on top of your day to day living costs.
5) Think about your family and friends. How will they cope if you move to live abroad. Often hardest hit are grandparents who move abroad leaving grandchildren behind….you will want to see your family and friends you know! So if you are certain you can be happy only seeing them few times of the year at least factor in two things – one) the money needed to fly back every now and then and two) have enough space in your new home to accommodate one or two visitors.
6) Get a support network in place as soon as you can. This will mean you have to get out and about and meet people when you’ve moved abroad. You will need people you can call on for advice if something goes wrong, you will need to learn about who’s a reliable tradesperson and who should be avoided! The sooner you make a few good friends the easier and more enjoyable your new life will be.
7) Do not be seduced by the dream of living abroad without spending some time researching and thinking about the actual, practical reality of leaving behind familiarity and setting out on an adventure at a time in life when most people will be expecting you to settle down! Moving abroad is a great adventure but it is not easy and anyone who thinks it is all plain sailing will be in for a nasty reality check.
Before you go consider going on the internet and finding out whether there are any virtual communities or forums where expatriates meet up and where you can communicate with others who have made the same move you’re about to make before you. Talk to other expats if you can and learn from them about what the whole experience is really like. It’s all very well you reading in an article that there will be days when you think ‘oh goodness, what have I done’ – you need to hear others say it and also hear about how they work through negative feelings and learn to embrace their new status as an expatriate.
9) Remember that by moving abroad you cannot and will not escape yourself! If you’re thinking of retiring abroad because you’re bored with your current life, depressed or just dissatisfied with things remember that moving abroad won’t necessarily positively affect your emotions. Think really hard about the real, driving reasons behind your dreams of a new life abroad…if they are practical reasons then fine, but if they are more emotional based feelings then maybe you need to look inside yourself and sort out whatever it is that’s making you feel like running away without actually running away!
10) And finally – no matter how tempting it may be, don’t burn your bridges or sever ties. Especially in the stress and excitement of planning a move overseas it can be all too easy to let off steam in the wrong direction and tell people what you really think….but just bear in mind that one day you might actually want to return home and if you’ve just informed your entire community what you’ve secretly been thinking about them all these years you may find life a little uncomfortable and embarrassing if ever you do decide to return to the arms of your family! Furthermore, don’t cut ties with family and friends back home…it’s hard to make really good friends and you should never forsake a friendship, what’s more, you only have one family and no matter how annoying or demanding they can sometimes be, one day you may just need their help or support..
Rhiannon Williamson writes about living abroad and expatriate life, to read more about shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/cat/C72/” target=”_new starting a new life abroad visit her site shelteroffshore.com/ shelteroffshore.com/
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn is open all year round with collections of old cars which includes a 15 Millionth Model T, a 1948 Tucker, a 999 Racer, a Bugatti Royale, a Ford Mark VI Racer, a Ford Mustang #1 and many more.
There are Presidential Limousines such as the Ronald Reagan limousine, the John F. Kennedy limousine, the Dwight D. Eisenhower “Bubbletop”, the Franklin D. Roosevelt “Sunshine Special” and many more. There’s the Heroes of the Sky exhibit which brings to life the first forty years of aviation. In this exhibit you’ll see the Douglas DC-3, the Sikorsky Helicopter, and the Wright Flyer Replica. There’s an Agriculture exhibit which features the first Fordson Tractor, Massey-Harris Model 20 Combine, and the Oliver Chilled Plow.
There is a collection of old timepieces, a display of four kitchens from different eras, a large collection of American-made jewelry of the last three hundred years, and a silver and pewter exhibit.
There’s a lot to see in Greenfield Village, which is next to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. There’s Main Street which is a bustling place of automobiles and carriages, events and amusements.
There are shops, restaurants, a chapel, an old school and other points of interest. Menlo Park Complex is where you’ll see Thomas Edison’s extraordinary innovations like the first electric light bulb.
There’s also a couple of ponds with ducks and geese in them. There is a horse barn, carousel for children, a train that takes you around the village, and lots more. Plan on spending a whole day there.
There’s a lot to do in Frankenmuth, Michigan from shopping, playing golf, eating famous chicken dinners, a narrated tour up and down the Cass River on a 70-ton paddle wheel boat, watching a free laser light show, and other exciting things to do. Plan on spending a whole day there also or you could spend the night at the Bavarian Inn lodge or other hotels and see some other sites the next day.
If you like to see trees, shrubs, and flowers, with collections of tropical and arid plants you should go to Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Michigan near Ann Arbor. There’s a lake and pond, natural woodlands, hiking trails and paved auto roads. It’s open all year round. They have guided tours and certain events different times of the year.
The best thing to see in Michigan is the Renaissance Festival in Holly, Michigan. Inside the gates you will see a festive marketplace with friendly merchants everywhere. You will be entertained by belly dancers, sword fighters, musicians, and comedians. There are jousting tournaments where knights on horses battle each other.
Everyone is dressed in renaissance costumes even the visitors. There’s all kinds of food from a tasty soup in a bread bowl to a roasted turkey drumstick. Everyone has a good, old time there. Bring a camera so you can recapture the sites of the day. It’s open on weekends August 18th through September 30th.
There’s a lot more to see in Michigan so please come and visit. You’ll be glad you did!
Your New Healthier Life Starts Here at 1ThinkHealthy.com Think Healthy Supplements
Spain is a prime vacation choice for those seeking to combine great weather and beautiful surroundings with their love of golf. With so many terrific golf properties available today in Spain, arranging the perfect vacation experience should be far from difficult. You can purchase property in Spain or simply rent a vacation home or apartment, whatever you prefer. One thing is certain, though. The many options available permit any golfer to find the perfect vacation spot close to terrific golf amenities. Whatever your budget or vacation needs, you should have no problem selecting a beautiful destination with the perfect golfing amenities for you and within your budget.
If your next question is where to find such great vacation properties, you will not have to look far. Search online. If you want to rent a vacation home, condominium or apartment, the Internet is the way to go. If you want to purchase golf property in Spain, the Internet is an excellent place for you to start as well. The Internet allows you to browse properties with convenience, from your own home and when you have time. There will be no realtor or travel agent calling or pressuring you into committing. You can decide at your own pace, taking time to consider your needs and budget which only you know best. If you choose to rent your vacation property, you can even make the reservation and payment online without leaving your home.
If you are purchasing, searching online initially allows you to gather information, browse properties and get a better idea of location and preferences before involving a professional. The more information you have going into a transaction, the more likely you are to experience a smoother and more efficient process. If you plan to visit Spain regularly for your golfing vacation, you may want to seriously consider purchasing rather than renting. Not only is it a good investment in and of itself, you could possibly earn an income by renting it to other golfers and tourists while you are not enjoying the property yourself.
Whether you choose to rent or purchase, you will enjoy the fun and relaxation of golf in beautiful surroundings and terrific weather. In addition to golf, you can enjoy many other recreational activities and sports, exciting nightlife and entertainment, fabulous food and many other events and festivities. With so many destinations, properties and activities from which to choose, both golfers and non-golfers will surely have a vacation to remember.
Being passionate about spanish culture and Spain, Robert Carlton was publishing large numbers of detailed reports in this specific area. Working on his detailed publications on
Disney’s Magic Kingdom is THE place for children to meet and greet their favorite characters.
It is important to make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get through everything that you want to do when you visit Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Equipment Rental: Strollers, manual wheelchairs, and ECVs can be rented just inside the park. The Extra Magic Hours program offers guests of the on-property hotel resorts to enter one of the parks an hour earlier than the posted opening time. The Extra Magic Hours program also offers guests of the on-property hotel resorts to spend an extra three hours at the park. Another unique element to Magic Kingdom is that most guests will need to take a monorail or ferry to get from their car to the park. After purchasing Magic Kingdom Tickets you will find over 48 rides and attractions that will bring fantasy, youth, nostalgia, and most of all magic into play.
The park map lists forty-eight attractions in seven themed “lands. Disney’s Magic Kingdom contains some real “don’t miss” attractions, depending on what age bracket you fall in. Space Mountain, while dated, is still one of the best attractions at the Magic Kingdom. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future. Adventureland — An exotic mix of jungles, wild animals, pirates and a Middle Eastern bazaar, Adventureland is home to several of the Magic Kingdom’s best-known and best-loved attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. Major attractions include Splash Mountain, a thrilling log ride; Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a roller coaster ride through an unstable mine; and the ever popular performing bears of Country Bear Jamboree. Major attractions also include Haunted Mansion, with frights from friendly haunts; and the Hall of Presidents, a moving Audio-Animatronics salute to the United States’presidents. My favourite is Mickey’s PhilharMagic, a 3-D of Disney music and characters; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, a gentle journey through the Hundred Acre Wood; and Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel, a merry-go-round of mighty steeds.
One of the main things which you may be wondering about is where you should consider eating while you are visiting Disney’s Magic Kingdom and one place that you may want to consider eating while you are at Magic Kingdom is Cinderella’s Royal Table. Crystal Palace is another one of the Magic Kingdom restaurants which you may want to consider eating at. The Liberty Tree Tavern is another one of the great restaurants that you will find in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant with Italian cuisine is upon you within moments of entering the park.
Before you leave be dazzled by the biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in Magic Kingdom® history with the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular being one of the main attractions of Disney’s Magic Kingdom. As you can see, there is much to do at the Disney World theme park, Magic Kingdom.
Peter Whelan is a well traveled freelance writer. Visit his site at disney-direct.org disney-direct.org
A passport is very similar to a driver’s license in the United States. It is an globally recognized document, typically used for international travel, verifying who you are and where you’re from. Most countries require a valid passport to enter or exit. All countries issue their own globally recognized passports, the US included. The U.S. Department of State is the division of the government with the authority to grant, issue and verify United States passports.
To apply for a new passport, you’ll need some documentation proving who you are and some time to go apply. Recent changes in the passport regulations require that most applicants must appear in person to apply for one.
US citizens that have never received a passport before should bring a certified birth certificate; current and valid driver’s license, government or military ID; two passport photos that meet the requirements below and fees of $97 plus optional $60 expedited service.
Children under 17 years old are required to hold a passport for most foreign travel. Children under 14 are required to have consent of either both parents’ or guardians’ to apply for a passport. For children born in the United States, a birth certificate, two photos and the fees are all that will be needed. Parents or guardians will need to show proof of citizenship and identity, like a valid passport, birth certificate or driver’s license.
Children or adults born outside the US will need to obtain a foreign birth certificate, report of birth abroad, certification of birth abroad or an adoption decree.
Photos for passports are required to be 2×2 inches. They must be identical, taken within the past 6 months, be in color with the full face, front view showing on a white background. The face must be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the chin to the top of the head. Hats, headgear and uniforms except religious dress word daily may not be worn. Prescription glasses (not sunglasses) or wigs worn as part of everyday attire may be worn if they are not obstructive.
To find a passport location near you, visit travel.state.gov and click on “Passports” then “Where to Apply for a Passport”. It typically takes between two and six weeks to receive a passport once it’s been issued. After you received your valid passport, you won’t have to worry about expiration for a full ten years.
Renewal of your passport is easier, quicker and less expensive than the original issuance. You are eligible to renew your passport if you have received it within 15 years, it is not damaged, were older than 16 when it was last issued and still have the same name or documentation for a legal name change.
To renew your passport, you must submit a completed application, two identical passport photos, the fee of $67 and your current, valid, not-mutilated passport. Expedited service is an additional $60. Renewals are usually processed and returned within two or three weeks.
You can check the status of a new or renewed passport by going to travel.state.gov, clicking “Passports” then “Online Application Status Check”. You’ll input your name, date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number.
Electronic passports are in the works in the U.S. The electronic passport, “e-passport”, will be very similar to the current paper passport. The addition of a small integrated computer chip on the back cover and a digital photograph will provide a number of additional benefits. First, the data stored will be much more difficult to penetrate and alter. Second, the digital photo will allow for biometric comparison through facial recognition technology. Additional anti-fraud security features will also be included on the e-passport. Traditional paper passports will still be accepted through their full period of validity.
Regardless of where your travel will be taking you, it is always a good idea to carry your valid, current passport with you. When things go astray, whether in Mexico, Malaysia or anywhere in between, your passport is your ticket to receive protections and rights you are due in that country. Keep it with you as you would your driver’s license in the US.
When are you required to have a passport? If you travel to Afghanistan, Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Chili, China, Cook Island, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom / Great Britain, Venezuela, Vietnam and the British Virgin Islands, a passport (and possibly a visa) will be required.
For air travel to Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the US Virgin Islands beginning in 2007, a passport will be required but hasn’t been in previous years.
Special passports are issued for diplomats or those traveling on behalf of the US government. These are issued for no-fee and are only valid for travel when on official business. Military personnel should contact their installation office. Federal employees should contact their Agency headquarters. Peace Corps officers should contact their travel office and Department of State personnel should contact their Bureau Executive or Personnel Technician.
As you enter foreign countries your passport will be stamped. As you exit, the Customs department of the US will verify where you’ve been, how long you were there and what items you have to declare (for taxation purposes.) The stamps are often considered the greatest souvenir of an international trip.
When venturing outside of the United States, always keep your passport on your person. Even if you are required to check all of your baggage, keep your passport with you. Should you lose your passport while in a foreign country, contact the Travel Department of the US Government at 202.955.0430 or the US Embassy in the country you are in.
This article on dailytravelair.com/passports/ passports basics was brought to you by daily travel air.
Before you go consider going on the internet and finding out whether there are any virtual communities or forums where expatriates meet up and where you can communicate with others who have made the same move you’re about to make before you. Talk to other expats if you can and learn from them about what the whole experience is really like. It’s all very well you reading in an article that there will be days when you think ‘oh goodness, what have I done’ – you need to hear others say it and also hear about how they work through negative feelings and learn to embrace their new status as an expatriate.